Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Definite

Def′i-nite

,
Adj.
[L.
definitis
, p. p. of
definire
: cf. F.
défini
. See
Define
.]
1.
Having certain or distinct; determinate in extent or greatness; limited; fixed;
as,
definite
dimensions; a
definite
measure; a
definite
period or interval.
Elements combine in
definite
proportions.
Whewell.
2.
Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; fixed; exact; clear;
as, a
definite
word, term, or expression
.
3.
Determined; resolved.
[Obs.]
Shak.
4.
Serving to define or restrict; limiting; determining;
as, the
definite
article
.
Definite article
(Gram.)
,
the article the, which is used to designate a particular person or thing, or a particular class of persons or things; – also called a definitive. See
Definitive
,
Noun.
- -
Definite inflorescence
.
(Bot.)
See
Determinate inflorescence
, under
Determinate
.
Law of definite proportions
(Chem.)
,
the essential law of chemical combination that every definite compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by weight; and, if two or more elements form more than one compound with each other, the relative proportions of each are fixed. Compare Law of multiple proportions, under
Multiple
.

Def′i-nite

,
Noun.
A thing defined or determined.
[Obs.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Definite

DEFINITE

, a.
1.
Having certain limits; bounded with precision; determinate; as a definite extent of land; definite dimensions; definite measure.
2.
Having certain limits in signification; determinate; certain; precise; as a definite word, term or expression.
3.
Fixed; determinate; exact; precise; as a definite time or period.
4.
Defining; limiting; determining the extent; as a definite word.

DEFINITE

,
Noun.
Thing defined.

Definition 2024


definite

definite

English

Adjective

definite (comparative more definite, superlative most definite)

  1. Having distinct limits.
    definite dimensions; a definite measure; a definite period or interval
    • Whewell
      Elements combine in definite proportions.
  2. Free from any doubt.
    definite knowledge
  3. Determined; resolved.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)
  4. (linguistics) Designating an identified or immediately identifiable person or thing, or group of persons or things
    the definite article

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

definite (plural definites)

  1. (obsolete) Anything that is defined or determined.

Italian

Verb

definite

  1. Second-person plural indicative present form of definire.
  2. Second-person plural imperative present form of definire.

Adjective

definite

  1. Feminine plural of definito.

Latin

Verb

dēfīnīte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of dēfīniō

References

  • definite in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers